Clinical Report: A County-Level Index for Cardiovascular Mortality Based on Social Determinants

Overview

This study developed a county-level social cardiovascular mortality index (SCMI) to identify high-risk areas for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the United States. The SCMI was compared with the CDC social vulnerability index (SVI) to assess predictive accuracy and identify key social determinants of health (SDOH) influencing CVD mortality.

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the USA, with significant geographic disparities in mortality rates. Understanding the role of social determinants of health is crucial for addressing these disparities and improving public health outcomes. This study aims to create a tool that can help identify high-risk counties and inform targeted interventions.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the provided material.

Key Findings

• The SCMI was developed using machine learning techniques to identify key county-level SDOH predictors for total CVD mortality.
• A total of 3141 US counties were included in the study, focusing on data from 2018 to 2021.
• The SCMI was compared to the CDC-SVI to evaluate its predictive accuracy for CVD mortality.
• Key SDOH variables associated with total CVD mortality were identified, highlighting the importance of income and education levels.
• Findings suggest that nearly three-quarters of geographic variation in CVD mortality can be attributed to county-level SDOH.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals can utilize the SCMI to identify counties at high risk for CVD mortality, allowing for targeted public health interventions. Understanding the impact of SDOH on health outcomes can guide policy decisions and resource allocation to reduce disparities in cardiovascular health.

Conclusion

The development of the SCMI represents a significant advancement in identifying high-risk areas for CVD mortality based on social determinants. This tool can enhance public health surveillance and inform effective interventions to mitigate cardiovascular health disparities.

References

1. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2023 -- Stagnant Trends: Rising and Flat Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Rates Post-2010 Across US States and Counties
2. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2023 -- A novel cumulative social advantage metric for enhancing the cardiovascular health construct and predicting mortality risk
3. Pediatric Cardiology, 2024 -- Factors Influencing Care Gaps and Their Consequences in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease
4. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2023 -- Links Between Social Determinants of Health and Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer in Survivors: Findings from a Prospective Cohort Analysis
5. New High Blood Pressure Guideline Emphasizes Prevention, Early Treatment to Reduce CVD Risk - American College of Cardiology, 2025
6. Rural-urban disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality vary by poverty level and region, 2023
7. New High Blood Pressure Guideline Emphasizes Prevention, Early Treatment to Reduce CVD Risk - American College of Cardiology
8. Rural-urban disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality vary by poverty level and region
9. BioLINCC: Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)